History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Festivals, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Arulmigu Nellaiappar Temple, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
Sri Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple is a Hindu temple solely dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. The temple is located on the bank of the River Thamirabarani in Tirunelveli town of Tamil Nadu. The Nellaiappar also called the Venuvananathar represents as Lord Shiva and the Sri Kanthimathi Ambal represent as Goddess Parvati. There are main two temple with separate gopuram one for Lord Nellaiappar and other for goddess Kanthimathi and which are connected to each other by Sangili Mandapam. This sacred shrine also popular as Venuvanam, Tharugavanam, Keelvembu Naatu Kulasekara Chaturavedhi Mangalam etc. in nearby local area. This sacred shrine holds high importance in devotee where thousands of devotee across the country visits here throughout the year. The temple is classified as ‘Paadal Petra Sthalam’ and mentioned in Tevaram, the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work written by the saint poets Nayanmars. The song ‘Sri Kanthimathi’ on the Goddess of the temple was composed by Muthuswami Dhikshitar.
Several tales are attached with this holy shrine, few key stories are mentioned over here.
There was severe drought for around 12 years which affects the entire kingdom of King Muzhuthum Kanda Rama Pandian. During this time, Veda Sharma devotee and priest of Lord Shiva used to collect paddy from different houses, cooked rice from it and offered to Lord Shiva. Once to dry the paddy he spread on floor and went for bath. Suddenly there was a heavy rain started, thus Veda Sharma rushed to collect the paddy. But the great miracle happen and not a single grain of paddy was wet and the rain had made a fence around the paddy and Sun was shining brightly over the place to safeguard the paddy. After this incident Lord Shiva came to be known as Lord Nel Veli Nathar or Nellaiappar and the region was renamed as Tiru-Nel-Veli.
Another story associated with milkman – Rama Konar during the rule of King Muzhuthum Kanda. Everyday, milk cane stumble on the Bamboo branch while crossing the bamboo forest at same place even after special care. Thus he thought to clear the Bamboo with his axe and suddenly blood started out from a stone. He informed the King about this incident, thus king prayed to Lord Shiva to show his manifestation. Then Lord Shiva, revealed as a huge "Swayambu Linga" and became the Venuvana Nathar - Lord of Bamboo forest. As per the priest of the temple, only a few feet of the Lingam is shown, the rest of the lingam is still hidden deep down the earth.
This magnificent temple spread across 14 acres of land is well known for its Dravidian style architectural with 5 gopurams, Musical Pillars, 1000 pillared mandapam, Copper Dance Hall, Huge temple tank and Lord Arumugan statue, temple chariot etc. As per History it is said that the original complex was built by Pandya’s in around 7th century and while the present masonry addition was done by Cholas, Pallavas, Cheras and Madurai Nayak. This temple also has a shrine of Lord Vishnu in reclining pose along with Lord Shiva and parvati.
As per Mythology, the shrine of the Vishnu is worshipped because Lord Vishnu had attend the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Kanthimathi. It is said that Agastya worshipped Lord Shiva in a bamboo grove and by Rama after killing Mareecha. This is one of the Panch Sabha Temples means the Lord Shiva had visited five of the places where he displayed his dance and today it is called as Panch Sabha so, Nellaiappar is one of the Panch Sabha Temples (copper).
Unique feature about the temple is shrine of lord Dakshinamoorthy, generally there is no separate shrine of lord Dakshinamoorthy in temple but here you can find it during the Pradakshina – Circumnavigation. The other prominent sannidhi's were Lord Brahma, Lord Mahishasura Mardini and others. There are main three Lingam in temple premise, one main is Shri Nellaiappar, second lingam which was worshipped by Lord Vishnu and third one is below the sanctum sanctorum called Patala Lingam or Badala Lingam or Adhi Moolava.
The unique feature or the main attraction is the “Mani Mandapam” located near the Nandi Mandapam with two giant pillars carved out with a single stone and each one is having 48 sub pillars which produce musical notes when struck. In the temple there is a beautiful golden lotus tank which is the major attraction to the visitors. It is said that Lord Shiva has appeared in this tank along with the Brahma, the Lotus. The “Aani Festival” which comes during the month of June-July is one of the most important festival of this temple. In the Sangili Mandapam, you can observe the scriptures of Hanuman, Vaali, Sugrevan, Bheema, Arjuna etc. The statue of Lord Muruga seated on his vehicle peacock carved out of single stone is another attraction.
Other important festivals of the temple are the Brahmmotsavam, Navarathri, Thirukalyanam and Arudra Darsanam.
How to reach Sri Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
Tirunelveli is one of the major city and district of Tamil Nadu, thus it is very well connected with the roads, air and railway network.You can hire taxi/cab, municipal/state buses to reach the destination. The Tirunelveli Railway station is the nearest Railway route at a distance of 5kms.The nearest Air Connectivity is in Tuticorin at a distance of 30 kms or 160 KMS from Madurai International Airport. Tirunelveli is located 150 km to the south of Madurai and 80 km to the north of Kanyakumari.
